Husband waives hearing in bed-ridden wife's death

A Warren widower charged with felony abuse following his wife’s death waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court for trial.

Michael Dewayne Brooks, 37, is charged with second-degree abuse of a vulnerable adult, in connection with the death of 41-year-old Yolanda Reese-Brooks.

Warren firefighters responding to a 911 call by Michael Brooks found his wife bed-ridden, lying in her own waste, on Oct. 16 in the family’s apartment. Firefighters wearing HAZMAT suits removed the door wall of the ground-floor unit in the Kings Pointe Apartments to extricate her in the insect-infested bed, and transport her to a local hospital. She died six days later, weighing 360 pounds.

Following his arraignment on Nov. 1, Michael Brooks was prohibited by 37th District Visiting Judge Herman Campbell from having contact with his four children as a condition of a personal recognizance bond.

On Thursday, defense attorney David Draper requested in court that Brooks be allowed to see the kids, ages 13, 11 and 2-year-old twins. District Judge John Chmura permitted Brooks to have visits, but only under the supervision of Child Protective Services. Chmura also lifted a previous restriction, allowing Brooks to have contact with his sister, who has temporary custody of the children.

Oakland County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. L.J. Dragovic, who conducted the autopsy of Reese-Brooks, ruled that she died of morbid obesity and complications from multiple injuries. Dragovic also determined that her death was an accident.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith previously said Michael Brooks was the primary caretaker of the ailing Warren woman. Smith said Brooks told investigators he had allowed his wife to lie in filth and preliminary decomposition for at least eight or nine days. The prosecutor called the treatment “shameful neglect.”

The abuse charge is punishable by up to four years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Draper has said Michael and Yolanda Brooks married in 2002 but were together more than 20 years.